MPS and Educators Credit Union Celebrate EVERFI Graduates at Victory School

On Wednesday, May 8, Educators Credit Union and Milwaukee Public Schools came together to celebrate all of Victory School’s fifth-grade students completing EVERFI.

EVERFI is a financial literacy tool that teaches students about saving money, planning for college, protecting personal information and much more. The program puts students into a digital and interactive environment and learn lessons by stopping at different sections of a map. They then take a test to show their growth after taking the program.

“EVERFI gives students a context for how money actually works in the real world,” said fifth-grade teacher Rita Felippo. “I hope that the students learned to plan for their future. Whether it’s college planning, saving or investing, just having more of a sense on how money operates.”

Educators Credit Union is now sponsoring the use of EVERFI at every MPS elementary school. The program aligns with the State of Wisconsin’s requirement for financial literacy education.

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Your Checking Account Wasn’t Active Last Month!

We wanted to inform you that your checking account was not active last month. This means that you didn’t build up your Member Loyalty Reward¹.

You can still earn money for your Member Loyalty Reward if you have an active checking account this month! An active checking account is when:

• You deposit a check, receive an electronic deposit from a non-Educators Credit Union account, or receive a payroll direct deposit into your checking account at least once a month.
• You make at least five transactions each month. These transactions can be any combination of using your debit card², writing a check, making an automatic withdrawal or using Bill Pay. It does not include ATM withdrawals.

Also, if Educators grows our active checking users by 20%, we will deposit a BONUS reward into every qualified account that has active checking on Nov. 30.

To see how you can build your Member Loyalty Reward, visit www.ecu.com/loyalty.

 

¹Educators Credit Union members will receive one Member Loyalty Reward per primary account holder social security number. A member can only receive one reward. Business accounts are eligible if their account uses an Employer Identification Number, not a social security number that is already linked to another Educators Credit Union account. The account earns a reward each month that builds to the Nov. 30 deposit. The account must be in good standing with Educators Credit Union for the member to participate in the reward that month. If a member’s checking account is negative due to Overdraft Privilege, that member is still eligible to participate in the program as long as the account is brought positive within the 35-day period. You can earn one monthly reward per service listed. For example, if you have multiple auto loans or leases, it will count as one service. Other restrictions may apply.

²ATM Withdrawals do not count as debit card transactions. Transfers from the checking share to another share, such as savings or loans, does not count as one of the five transactions.

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Celebrating Teachers That Made a Difference in Our Lives: Mrs. Morrissette

In our individual journeys to success, we all have learned many great things about life. The most beneficial things I have learned in my life come from my teachers, past and present. One particular teacher who had a positive impact on my life was Mrs. Morrissette.

When my mother was deported, I did not have any guidance on what I wanted to do with my life. But Mrs. Morrissette saw my potential and challenged me to reach it. She encouraged me to attend our school’s Future Business Leaders of America Club. When I finally decided to show up for a meeting. The meeting was the first step to shaping the person I would become. The club taught me how to network, how to have confidence and how to be determined to succeed.

In high school, I knew my father would not be able to afford to help me pay for college, but Mrs. Morrissette knew about an opportunity that could help me afford my tuition. She encouraged me to apply to become a co-op teller with Educators Credit Union at just 17 years old. Being a co-op teller would allow me to have a consistent job while still going to school. She always encouraged me to try new things and not to allow myself to be intimidated by new experiences.

At times I wanted to give up, but Mrs. Morrissette would not allow me to stop. I am thankful she put so much time and effort to mentor me. Because of this, I started taking college courses before I graduated high school and became the youngest District Ambassador of Gateway Technical College and Wisconsin Technical System.  I wouldn’t have had that initiative had it not been for Mrs. Morrissette.

Overall, my teachers’ motivation and love for students allowed me to become a woman of determination, confidence and a goal-setter. Now, I have worked for Educators Credit Union officially for two years and will graduate from Gateway in May with an associate degree, just a year after graduating from high school. I will forever be thankful to the teacher who encouraged me to become a successful individual. Thank you, Mrs. Morrissette!

– Keydi O.

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Happy National Teachers’ Day!

In honor of National Teachers’ Day, we wanted to spotlight some of the educators that had a significant impact on our staff. Here are some of our staff members’ recollections of their favorite teachers:

Hollie Edwards (Waukesha): Mr. P. was my 8th grade science teacher. As any 13 or 14-year-old, I had better things to do with my time, and science wasn’t really my best subject. Towards the end of the year he offered a “random” extra credit opportunity to students whose grades were suffering. This opportunity was helping him clear trash from a mile of the highway on a weekend afternoon. He was kind, entertaining understanding, and an all around wonderful teacher.

Hannah Kowalczyk (Accounting): Belinda Wampler! She taught math at Union Grove High School. She is one of the kindest teachers I have had the pleasure to learn from. Without her, I wouldn’t have discovered my love for numbers. It takes someone with a big heart to share their knowledge and passion with others, and Belinda is just that! She came to class every day with a big smile and a positive attitude. Her personality rubbed off on those around her. Thanks, Ms.Wampler, I owe so much to you!

Nathalie Andersen (Teller Operated Machines): My favorite teacher was my mother. From 2nd to 8th grade she taught my brother and I at home and helped us appreciate learning. Outside of making sure we learned things like math and English, she taught me faith, endurance, kindness and to listen. She taught me how to look at things from other perspectives and appreciate this great big world we live in. Every day growing up was filled with lessons and even now whenever I talk to her she is teaching me something new.

Stephanie Chamberlain (Janesville): My favorite teacher was my 1st through 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Jacobs. I went to a very small school with only 34 kids in grades K – 8.  Mrs. Jacobs’ husband taught 4th – 8th grade. Their four children were among some of my very best friends. So, not only was Mrs. Jacobs the one who provided me knowledge about math, reading and science, she was also like a second mother to me. My own mother became very ill and my two brothers and I actually went to live with Mrs. Jacobs and her family for a little while until my own mother was better.  She was and still is a faithful friend to my mother and father. We still get together several times a year to visit. She is special to me because she is family.

Joe Knapton (Information Systems): I remember my 8th grade teacher Mrs. Smith. I liked math a lot, and we had a section on decimal equivalence (going from decimals to fractions to percentages, etc.). We had to memorize these for a lot of the simple ones, like 1/2 = 0.5, 1/8 = 0.125, 1/3 = 0.33333 – but during our graduation practices, I memorized the 7ths and the 13ths. They are six-digit patterns that repeat, and you know which one it is by the numerator. 1/7 is 0.142857 repeating. If you want 3/7, you pick the 3rd highest number and go from there (so 0.428751 repeating). The 13ths have 2 separate 6 digit sequences with the same concept. 076923 and 153846. I am typing this full thing from memory; zero calculators involved! That was way back in 1996, and 23 years later I still remember them “like that”. Mrs. Smith was a really fun teacher and clearly inspired me to do something “meaningful” (??) with my spare time!

Who was your favorite teacher? Let us know in the comments!

 

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Celebrating Nurses Day From the Eyes of a Nurse’s Son

My entire life, I’ve looked up to my mother. She’s a powerful and independent woman, she raised our family, did everything necessary to help us accomplish our dreams and goals, and so much more. But my admiration extends past family into her career: nursing.

Growing up, I was always aware that my mom was making a significant difference in the lives of others. We’d hear about her day at work and time with her favorite patients, get to listen to her rants about things she thought could be done better, and then, get the unique opportunity to meet some of her patients in the real world.

When patients left the hospital and saw my mom, they would always be ecstatic to see her. They’d carry huge smiles on their face and my mom always knew their name. My siblings and I would always be confused about why this person we’ve never met (and often their spouse) would be greeting my mom like a beloved family member. Now, as an adult, I get it. My mom wasn’t just coming in to change IVs, check medicals and occasionally bring you food. She was taking care of that person mentally and forming genuinely strong and lasting bonds.

It’s then that I understood why nurses are so important. Many of these people are going through the toughest period of their life. Working in a transplant clinic, my mom helped her patients recover from significant surgeries and ailments. But it wasn’t in and out, she would also offer them companionship in a terrifying time where they were down on their luck. They’re keeping you alive with their care and attention to detail, making you comfortable, and giving you some human connection during a trying and arduous journey.

My mom’s heroism extends when she’s off the clock, too. Watching her spring into action when there’s a significant car accident, or save a man going through a major cardiac event on an airplane has almost become the norm. Who needs superheroes when your mom saves lives almost routinely?

I know that my mom is making a significant impact in the lives of someone each and every day. I also know that there are thousands of nurses making that same heroic impact day in and day out (including my sister because nursing has become a family job). I’m proud to be the son of a nurse.

On behalf of myself and everyone here at Educators Credit Union, thank you, nurses! Your compassion, dedication and bravery are important to all of us.

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Getting Started with Credit

I started working at Educators Credit Union as a high school co-op employee in 2018. During this time, I have learned what “adulting” really means and how choices you make early on can impact you for the rest of your life. This led me to think, when it comes to personal finance, how many teenagers are as lost as I was?

The transition from high school to adulthood is not a simple one. Once you graduate, there’s a world of opportunities and decisions to make that impact you financially. You could go to college, buy a new car or start saving for that new house, but no matter what you choose, establishing credit makes it possible.

The words “establishing credit” sound intimidating, but just mean that you have proof that you are willing and able to pay back borrowed money. Borrowing from financial institutions is inevitable for most of us, but it is important to be financially educated and responsible before you begin to establish credit.

Here are a few tips to ensure that you are making the best financial decisions when it comes to credit:

• Don’t buy what you can’t afford!

A credit card might seem like free money, but when your payment date comes around, it is important that you can afford to at least pay the minimum payment. If you really want to build your credit, pay off the entire statement balance, which is the amount of money you spent in a billing cycle. Paying your statement balance each month is also a good way to avoid interest!

• Credit is your friend, not the enemy!

Avoiding credit cards or loans may seem like a good option to stay out of debt; however, credit is the proof lenders need that you are a trustworthy person to loan money to. Opening a credit card with a low maximum balance and making payments each month is all it takes to begin building credit.

• Read the fine print!

You must be selective when it comes to a credit card. Credit cards with low/moderate APR (interest rate), no annual fees, and benefits are what you should take into consideration while credit card shopping. Some credit cards have important hidden details in the fine print, like an interest rate that will get higher after the first six months or year. It is important to be completely aware of what you are signing up for when credit card shopping.

• One step at a time!

After reading this, you might be extremely eager to open loans and start building your credit but applying for a lot of loans or credit cards at once can lower your credit score. The applications are “hard hits” on your credit and it can also give lenders the impression that you are having trouble getting approved for loans.

As I am entering the adult-world, it has become evident to me that credit is essential to achieving short-term and long-term goals. When used responsibly, establishing credit can open opportunities for you that may not have been possible otherwise. Please comment below what you learned about establishing credit!

-Hailey K.

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ALERT: A New Scam is Targeting Wisconsin Residents

Wisconsin residents are being targeted by a new scam where fraudsters pretend to be the Social Security Department. The scammers are calling people in our area from a spoofed phone number that says they are from the Social Security Department. These fraudsters tell the person on the other line that their social security number is compromised and they must remove all of their money from their financial. The fake social security officer states that a representative will collect the money and replace their social security number after that exchange.

The Social Security Department would NEVER call you directly. Should your information be compromised, they would send a letter to you asking you to contact their offices.

If these scammers try to contact you or you believe you are a victim of this scam, please contact your local police department.

Use caution whenever you receive a phone call that demands immediate action, especially if the person on the other line wants your money, social security number, credit card number or other sensitive information. If you doubt that the person on the other line is who they say they are, hang up and call the company directly using a number from their official website.

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2019 May Member Focus

The newest Member Focus is now available for your enjoyment!

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Educators Credit Union Celebrates Thirty-One Saver’s Sweepstakes Winners

The Educators Credit Union and AutoWerks Pre-Owned Auto Sales Spring Car Event

Educators Auto & Lease and AutoWerks’¹ Spring Car Event can help you save on your next vehicle or lease.

From April 11 to 13, AutoWerks and Educators Credit Union are offering:

• 1% of your loan amount in cash back — up to $250 — on AutoWerks purchases or leases financed through Educators Credit Union².
• A chance to win $100-$300 off the AutoWerks purchase price.
• Discounted inventory pricing.
• A drawing to win a Magnavox 65” 4K UHD TV³.

Visit www.myautowerks.com or call 262.898.7090 for a full list of AutoWerks’ inventory.

¹Autowerks is an Educators Credit Union preferred dealership. Educators Credit Union has no ownership of this dealership. Educators Auto & Lease is a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) owned wholly by Educators Credit Union, but is a separate business from the credit union.
²Financing up to 105% of approx. retail value. Loan rate is dependent on credit score. Qualify for the lowest rate with a credit score of 740 or above. Rates are subject to change.
³No purchase necessary to enter. The prize is valued at $500.

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A Spring Savings Special for You

It’s time to increase your spring savings with the April share certificate special from Educators Credit Union!

Starting April 1, Educators Credit Union members can open this special 15-month share certificate at a 2.25% APY*. There’s a minimum $15,000 deposit to open the share certificate.

Visit any Educators Credit Union branch by April 30 to open this special share certificate!

*APY = Annual Percentage Yield. This share certificate special will no longer be available after April 30. A penalty will/may be imposed for early withdrawal. The funds will be deposited into the member’s Prime Share Savings account at maturity and the share certificate will be closed. The rate cannot be increased with Points for Perks or other offers. The share certificate cannot be combined with other offers. There is a minimum deposit of $15,000 to open this share certificate. IRA share certificates are excluded from this offer. Other restrictions may apply.

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2019 April Member Focus

The April Member Focus is now available for your enjoyment! This month, we share the latest shred days, information about our Annual Meeting, ways to save on your next vehicle, and more!

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Changing Saturday Branch Hours

Some Educators Credit Union branches will have new Saturday hours after April 1. The branches listed below will now close at 1 p.m., instead of 3 p.m.:

• Center Street Drive-Up (6131 W. Center St., Milwaukee, WI 53210)
• Newman Drive-Up (1400 N. Newman Rd., Racine, WI 53406)
• UW-Parkside (900 Wood Rd., Student Center, Suite D108, Kenosha, WI 53144)
• Pleasant Prairie (7431 91st Ave., Kenosha, WI 53142)
• Prospect (2243 N. Prospect Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202)
• Sturtevant (1300 90th St., Sturtevant, WI 53177)
• West Bend Drive-Up (960 W. Paradise Dr., West Bend, WI 53095)

Members can still self-service many of their needs with the great tools provided by Educators Credit Union. Fee-free ATMs are available to members 24/7 and deposits can be made from the FlashCash Widget in Mobile Banking. Members can also check their balances or transfer money with Online Banking, Mobile Banking, and Educators Voice Access (EVA).

Visit the Branches & ATMs page to see the most up to date hours.

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Is Your Checking Account Earning You Money?

With an active checking account at Educators Credit Union, you can start earning a Member Loyalty Reward!

 

 

On Nov. 30, Educators will be depositing up to $165 into accounts that have active checking. What’s active checking?

• You deposit a check, receive an electronic deposit from a non-Educators Credit Union account, or receive a payroll direct deposit into your checking account at least once a month.
• You make at least five transactions each month. These transactions can be any combination of using your debit card², writing a check, making an automatic withdrawal or using Bill Pay. It does not include ATM withdrawals.

You then earn money for using Educators Credit Union products and services. To see the ways you can earn a Member Loyalty Reward, go to our Member Loyalty page.

 

BONUS: If Educators Credit Union increases our active checking account users by 20% on Nov. 30, any member with an active checking account in November receives a bonus reward.

 

 

¹Educators Credit Union members will receive one Member Loyalty Reward per primary account holder social security number. A member can only receive one reward. Business accounts are eligible if their account uses an Employer Identification Number, not a social security number that is already linked to another Educators Credit Union account. The account earns a reward each month that builds to the Nov. 30 deposit. The account must be in good standing with Educators Credit Union for the member to participate in the reward that month. If a member’s checking account is negative due to Overdraft Privilege, that member is still eligible to participate in the program as long as the account is brought positive within the 35-day period. You can earn one monthly reward per service listed. For example, if you have multiple auto loans or leases, it will count as one service. Other restrictions may apply.
²ATM Withdrawals do not count as debit card transactions. Transfers from the checking share to another share, such as savings or loans, does not count as one of the five transactions.

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Educators Credit Union Celebrates Twenty-Four Saver’s Sweepstakes Winners

The sixth Saver’s Sweepstakes drawing was held on March 15th and twenty-four Educators Credit Union members were lucky winners of $100 each!

This month’s Educators Credit Union Saver’s Sweepstakes winners are:

• Robin W.
• Joseph S.
• Wendy C.
• Clara R.
• Britta J.
• Jeremiah S.
• Sheryl L.
• Richard P.
• Linda M.
• Elizabeth B.
• Tijuan W.
• Jamie L.
• Corey J.
• Brittany W.
• Thomas L.
• Theodore H.
• Tamara S.
• Crystal M.
• Kathryn K.
• John C.
• Douglas M.
• Shawn A.
• Ludvina F.
• Lawrence W.

The Saver’s Sweepstakes is a brand new prize-based savings account created by The Wisconsin Credit Union League with help from several credit unions across the state. Members earn entries into the sweepstakes for every $25 saved each month. They can receive up to six entries monthly. Those entries go towards a $100 monthly drawing, $1,000 quarterly drawing and the $5,000 yearly grand prize drawing.

While the Saver’s Sweepstakes is special because members can win for saving, it was created to help credit union members develop good saving habits.

The next group of winners will be picked in mid-April. For full entry rules and information, visit www.ecu.com/savers.

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The 2019 Preferred Dealer Network Sale

Starting Friday, March 15, Educators Credit Union members can save on a new or used vehicle during our Preferred Dealer Network sale¹! Educators Auto & Lease² offers complimentary assistance to help you find your next vehicle from our network of over 100 preferred dealers. Our vehicle specialists can share hassle-free pricing from our dealership partners on the new car you’re looking for.

During the sale, take advantage of:

• Prices up to 5% below dealer invoice pricing. Not MSRP, but invoice pricing!
• Discounts you can combine with manufacturer rebates and incentives to maximize your savings.
• An opportunity to win a $1,000 gas card when you purchase or lease a vehicle you find through our Preferred Dealer Network during the sale with Educators Credit Union³

The Preferred Dealer Network Sale ends on April 30. If you want help saving money on your next vehicle, call our Auto & Lease team at 262.884.6675 or email everythingauto@ecu.com to speak with a vehicle specialist. Throughout the year, get special pricing through our dealer network on most vehicle makes and models.

Visit www.ecu.com/preferred for a list of discounts.

 

Looking for a used car? The AutoWerks⁴ Spring Car Event runs from April 11-13.

Learn more in next month’s Member Focus or at www.ecu.com.

 

¹Some models may not be available or are excluded. Invoice price does not reflect actual dealer cost. Dealer discounts are subject to change.
² Educators Auto & Lease is a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) owned wholly by Educators Credit Union, but is a separate business from the credit union.
³ Financing up to 105% of the approx. retail value. Loan rate is dependent on credit score. Qualify for the lowest rate with a credit score of 740 or above. Rates are subject to change.
⁴AutoWerks is an Educators Credit Union preferred dealership. Educators Credit Union has no ownership of this dealership.

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2019 Shred Days

Educators Credit Union’s Shred Days are returning for 2019! Here you can find a list of the locations, times, and dates our Shred Days will take place this spring and summer.

Please remember:

• There is a maximum of 5 boxes and 100 pounds of paper per car. We will only accept paper. All boxes, plastic bags or other materials will be returned to you after the paper is collected.
• You should check over the documents you are going to shred to make sure you aren’t getting rid of anything of importance. For example: a birth certificate, social security card, marriage license, etc.
• Remain in your vehicle at all times. We will remove your shred boxes and bags for you.
• The actual length of the Shred Day could change if the truck fills or there is inclement weather.

 

Date	Location	Time
5/11	Gateway Technical College Racine Campus (1001 S. Main Street)	9 a.m. to noon
5/18	Elkhorn Block Party (611 E. Geneva Street)	9 a.m. to noon
6/1	UW-Waukesha (1500 N. University Drive)	9 a.m. to noon
6/8	Washington County Government Center (432 E. Washington Street, West Bend)	9 a.m. to noon
6/22	Gateway Technical College Kenosha Campus (3520 30th Avenue)	9 a.m. to noon
6/29	Brown Deer High School (8060 N. 60th Street)	9 a.m. to noon
8/3	Miller Park (1 Brewers Way, Milwaukee)	9 a.m. to noon
8/10	Malone Park (16400 W. Al Stigler Parkway, New Berlin)	9 a.m. to noon
8/17	Gateway Technical College Racine Campus (1001 S. Main Street)	9 a.m. to noon
8/24	Educators Janesville Branch (2652 N. Lexington Drive)	9 a.m. to noon

 

For a list of our branch locations, please check out our branch locations page here!

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2018 Shred Dates Copy

Educators Credit Union’s shred days are returning for 2018! Here you can find a list of the locations, times and dates our shred days will take place this spring & summer.

Remember to keep a few things in mind:

• There is a maximum of 5 boxes and up to 100 pounds of paper per car. We can accept paper only — no boxes, plastic bags or other materials.
• Check over the documents you are going to shred to make sure you aren’t getting rid of anything of importance. For example: a birth certificate, social security card, marriage license, etc.
• At the shred day, please remain in your vehicle.
• While our shred days are scheduled to last a few hours, the actual length of the shred day depends on how full the truck is. If the truck is full before the scheduled end time, the remainder of the shred day will be canceled.

Date	Location	Time
5/19	Elkhorn Block Party (Educators’ Elkhorn branch location)	Noon to 3 p.m.
5/19	Miller Park (1 Brewers Way, Milwaukee in the Miller, Gantner and Kuenn parking lots)	9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
6/9	Mount Pleasant Village Hall (8811 Campus Drive)	9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
6/16	Educators’ West Bend branch location	9 a.m. to noon
6/23	New Berlin Public Library (15105 Library Lane)	9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
8/11	Kenosha Library (7979 38th Avenue)	9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
8/18	Cardinal Stritch University (6801 N Yates Road, Milwaukee)	9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
8/25	Educators’ Janesville branch location	9 a.m.  to noon
9/8	Gateway Technical College (1001 S Main Street, Racine)	9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

 

For a list of our branch locations, please click here.

 

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Track your credit score in Online and Mobile Banking

Educators Credit Union is introducing its latest and greatest additional Online and Mobile Banking: the FICO® Score Widget¹.

Now, members can use the FICO® Score Widget to track their credit score each month. The widget also tells you the top reasons for the score you have, giving you the knowledge to help you improve it.

Credit scores are used to help lenders determine if they’ll approve you for a loan. It can go up and down based on your total debt, your income, your payment history and more.

For more information on the FICO® Score Widget, go to the FICO® page.

Need help setting up the widget? Use our helpful guides for enrollment and unenrollment.

¹The FICO® Score Widget will only display the credit score for the primary member on the account. Minor, trust and business accounts do not have access to the FICO® Score Widget. Members whose credit profiles are currently frozen will not be able to use the FICO® Score Widget.

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Parker Community Credit Union Direct Deposits and Automatic Payments

On April 30, 2019, Educators Credit Union will stop processing all direct deposits and automatic payments that use Parker Community Credit Union account and routing numbers.

You currently have one or more merchants processing automatic payments/deposits through your PCCU account and routing number. We have attempted to contact and change the account information on your behalf, but these vendors require that you update this information. A letter was mailed to you with the vendors that have the incorrect account information.

Please update your account and routing number with the person or organization sending the automatic withdrawal or deposit as soon as possible. You can request a direct deposit specification form or request assistance with this process through Live Chat in Online Banking, by phone at 262.886.5900 or at any Educators branch.

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Saturday Branch Hours Changing

Starting April 1, several Educators Credit Union branches will now close at 1 p.m. on Saturdays, instead of 3 p.m. The branches impacted by this change are:

• Center Street Drive-Up (6131 W. Center St., Milwaukee, WI 53210)
• Newman Drive-Up (1400 N. Newman Rd., Racine, WI 53406)
• UW-Parkside (900 Wood Rd., Student Center, Suite D108, Kenosha, WI 53144)
• Pleasant Prairie (7431 91st Ave., Kenosha, WI 53142)
• Prospect (2243 N. Prospect Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202)
• Sturtevant (1300 90th St., Sturtevant, WI 53177)
• West Bend Drive-Up (960 W. Paradise Dr., West Bend, WI 53095)

Despite the branches closing two hours earlier on Saturdays, members can still self-service many of their needs with the great tools provided by Educators Credit Union. Fee-free ATMs are available to members 24/7 and deposits can be made from the FlashCash Widget in Mobile Banking. Members can also check their balances or transfer money with Online Banking, Mobile Banking, and Educators Voice Access (EVA).

Visit the Branches & ATMs page to see the most up to date hours.

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Protect Yourself From Fraud

Security is incredibly important to us at Educators Credit Union. We want to do everything within our power to help you protect your information from fraud attempts.

Here are some simple steps you can take to keep your sensitive information safe:

• Be suspicious of any email requesting or demanding immediate action. Scammers take advantage of you by making you act before you have time to think.
• Avoid clicking on links in emails, especially if it’s requesting private information or is unsolicited. Instead, close the email and visit the company’s website yourself.
• Only use your login or sensitive information in secure and familiar environments. Don’t share this in an email, text or phone call that was unsolicited.
• If you click on a link that takes you to a company’s website, look carefully at the URL, website colors and the content. Any unusual changes or differences should be an immediate red flag.

We hope these tips will go a long way to keeping your personal and sensitive information safe.

Educators Credit Union is always working to empower you to take security into your own hands. One excellent tool is our Ctrl app. Download Ctrl today and use it to instantly turn your Educators cards on or off, set spending limitations, and get notifications about purchases.

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2019 March Member Focus

Check out the 2019 March Member Focus! We’re sharing information about the Preferred Dealer Network Sale, the Educators Credit Union Alexa Skill, and more!

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Last Week to Apply for the 2019 Educators Scholarship

The deadline to apply for the 2019 Educators Credit Union Scholarship is one week away! For the second consecutive year, Educators is awarding 35 deserving high school seniors with $2,000 each for higher education.

In order to qualify for the scholarship, students must have their application and all of the materials turned in by Friday, March 1. To be eligible, students must:

• Be the primary owner of an active account (Prime Share Savings) at Educators Credit Union at the time of application.
• Be enrolled in a Dane, Green, Jefferson, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Rock, Walworth, Washington, or Waukesha County high school.
• Be eligible for graduation at the end of the 2018-2019 school year.
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the end of first-semester senior year.
• Be accepted to an accredited college or technical school at the time of award.

Before time runs out, go to www.ecu.com/scholarship to get the application form and learn more.

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Educators Credit Union Celebrates Twenty-One Saver’s Sweepstakes Winners

The fifth Saver’s Sweepstakes drawing was held on February 15th and twenty-one Educators Credit Union members were lucky winners of $100 each!

This month’s Educators Credit Union Saver’s Sweepstakes winners are:

• Robert J.
• Sandra N.
• Latoya N.
• Dora S.
• Kathleen E.
• Carole M.
• Holly E.
• Kathleen M.
• Mary S.
• Meredith L.
• Janice F.
• Edna A.
• Laura L.
• Jessica J.
• Susan A.
• Matthew F.
• Maria A.
• Louann W.
• Alysia R.
• Dale K.
• Kevin L.
• Jodi S.

The Saver’s Sweepstakes is a brand new prize-based savings account created by The Wisconsin Credit Union League with help from several credit unions across the state. Members earn entries into the sweepstakes for every $25 saved each month. They can receive up to six entries monthly. Those entries go towards a $100 monthly drawing, $1,000 quarterly drawing and the $5,000 yearly grand prize drawing.

While the Saver’s Sweepstakes is special because members can win for saving, it was created to help credit union members develop good saving habits.

The next group of winners will be picked in mid-March. For full entry rules and information, visit www.ecu.com/savers.

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ALERT: Phishing Email Being Sent to Educators Credit Union Members

Some Educators Credit Union members are receiving the following suspicious email pretending to be from the credit union. This is a phishing attempt and is not from Educators.

Educators Credit Union will never send you an email asking for your sensitive information. When Educators needs you to update information on your account, we will send a secure message within Online Banking.

The credit union is working hard to stop this email from going out and to protect members from this scam. If you or someone you know received this email, you should contact Educators Credit Union immediately at 262.886.5900.

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Auto & Lease: More Amazing Than Even I Believed!

Through my role at Educators Credit Union, it’s essential that I have a good to excellent understanding of our services and products. I regularly write about Auto & Lease and the benefits it offers to our members, but it wasn’t until recently that I truly understood how easy it makes shopping for a car.

My wife and I weren’t actively shopping for a new car, but the dealer allegedly had a fantastic trade-in offer to make. We went in, heard what the dealer was offering, and decided that if the price was right, we were interested. I paused and thought, “Wait, Educators has something for this.”

I drove over to the Educators Credit Union Sturtevant branch and was almost immediately connected with a vehicle specialist. We quickly told him exactly what was happening, from the trade-in value we were being offered, the monthly payment we had on our current vehicle, the cost of the car we wanted, and the payment we wanted.

In no time, they armed us with resources to go back to the dealer. He confirmed that the cost of the trade in was right where it should be. Using Educators Credit Union’s preferred dealer network, he let us know that the dealership would give us a no-haggle price $350 below inventory pricing. Then he helped us check our credit scores so that we could see what type of loan and rate we’d be getting. Everything we did at Auto & Lease took substantially less time than the dealer just giving us an offer for my trade.

After being loaded up with information, I went back to the dealer, told them exactly what I had learned and the deal was done! There wasn’t any driving around searching for a better offer, further haggling, or upselling for additional features, it was all as easy as it could have been.

While not every experience will be identical, I now personally believe the only way to shop for a car is with Auto & Lease. They help remove the stress and worry that comes with car buying. Just having someone on my team helped make everything more manageable in the long run.

To learn more about what Auto & Lease can do for you, visit the Auto & Lease page.

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Apply Now for the 2019 Educators Credit Union Scholarship

The deadline to apply for the Educators Credit Union 2019 Scholarship is March 1! Once again, Educators is awarding 35 graduating high school seniors with $2,000 each for their higher education.

To qualify for an Educators Scholarship, the student must:

• Be the primary owner of an active account (Prime Share Savings) at Educators Credit Union at the time of application.
• Be enrolled in a Dane, Green, Jefferson, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Rock, Walworth, Washington, or Waukesha County high school.*
• Be eligible for graduation at the end of the 2018-2019 school year.
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the end of first-semester senior year.
• Be accepted to an accredited college or technical school at the time of award.
• Show a demonstration of one of the core values of Educators Credit Union.

Educators Credit Union has awarded $170,000 to area high schoolers since 2016. To apply and learn more about the process, check out our Scholarship page.

*Students participating in a home-based educational program, privately operated correspondence or virtual school must reside in the qualifying counties listed above. Applicants attending these programs must also provide proof of enrollment with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (form PI-1206) for the 2018-2019 school year, ACT or SAT scores, and any records relating to curriculum and academic progress.

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February 2019 Member Focus

Check out the latest version of the Member Focus! This month we introduce members to the new Member Loyalty Reward, celebrate the Saver’s Sweepstakes winners and talk about saving on your taxes.

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Educators Credit Union Celebrates Eleven Saver’s Sweepstakes Winners

The fourth Saver’s Sweepstakes drawing was held on January 15th and eleven Educators Credit Union members were lucky winners! Nine members won $100 in the monthly drawing, while two members won $1000 in the quarterly drawing.

Last month’s Educators Credit Union Saver’s Sweepstakes winners were:

• Jamie C. ($100)
• Deja G. ($100)
• Elizabeth G. ($100)
• Lizbeth L. ($100)
• Rocco L. ($1000)
• Crystal M. ($100)
• Jessica N. ($100)
• Gladys R. ($1000)
• Joseph S. ($100)
• Kathleen V. ($100)
• Marian W. ($100)

The Saver’s Sweepstakes is a brand new prize-based savings account created by The Wisconsin Credit Union League with help from several credit unions across the state. Members earn entries into the sweepstakes for every $25 saved each month. They can receive up to six entries monthly. Those entries go towards a $100 monthly drawing, $1,000 quarterly drawing and the $5,000 yearly grand prize drawing.

While the Saver’s Sweepstakes is special because members can win for saving, it was created to help credit union members develop good saving habits.

The next group of winners will be picked in mid-February. For full entry rules and information, visit www.ecu.com/savers.

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Alexa, get started with Educators Credit Union!

Educators Credit Union is coming to your home! Starting now, you can connect the credit union to your Amazon® Alexa-enabled device. Manage your account with your voice and use Alexa to make transfers, pay loans, check account balances, and much more.

Here’s how you get started:

1. Open the Amazon Alexa app on your mobile device.
2. Tap the menu at the top of the home screen and select “Skills.”
3. Find Educators Credit Union in the Skills Store and tap the enable button.
4. On the Welcome screen, tap Accept and Continue.
5. Enter your Online Banking username and password and tap “Verify.”
6. Map the Educators Credit Union account names to your existing shares or accounts.
7. Enter a four-digit PIN to authenticate the Educators Credit Union Skill. Enter it again to confirm your PIN.
8. Enter your email and phone number.
9. Select text (SMS) or email as the delivery method for authentication codes.

You’re now ready to access your Educators Credit Union account with Alexa! For more information on commands you can use with your device, click here.

 

 

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What You Need to Know for Tax Season

Tax season is here, and Educators Credit Union wants to make sure you avoid any problems filing this spring. We have put together a list of must-dos as you submit your taxes to the Internal Revenue Service.

• Taxes are due by Monday, April 15. Make sure you have everything sent to the IRS by that date. The government requires that all tax documents be delivered by Jan. 31. If you have not received a tax document you are expecting by then, follow up with the organization that is sending you the document.
• When arranging a direct deposit for a tax refund, make sure to use your correct 11-digit account number. Educators members can find their account numbers on the bottom of their checks or can ask for it at a branch or by calling 262.886.5900. Your statements and Online Banking do not have your full account number.
• If you do not use the correct account number, you are liable for lost refunds. Double check that you are providing accurate information. The IRS uses account numbers, not names, to verify payment. If an issue occurs, contact the IRS right away. Visit www.IRS.gov for contact information.
• Having a professional file your taxes? Thoroughly review your tax agreement before handing over valuable information. Avoid hidden fees or agreeing to something that doesn’t sound right. Do your research beforehand to make sure you are using a quality service. Never agree to let a tax professional deposit your return into their account first and then give it to you.

We hope these tips can help protect you this tax season. If you have additional questions about filing your taxes, please contact a tax professional for assistance.

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You Said We’re the Best – Again!

For the third year in a row, Educators Credit Union has been named the “Best of Milwaukee!” The Shepherd Express revealed the winners of its Best of Milwaukee poll at a banquet on Jan. 22, 2019. They revealed that Educators Credit Union came out on top in four categories.

In this year’s poll, our members voted for us as the:

• Best Credit Union
• Best Financial Institution for Getting a Business Loan
• Best Financial Institution for Getting a Mortgage
• Best Financial Institution for Opening a Checking Account

Shepherd Express put the poll up online in November. Voters then went online and selected their choices in every category.

Thank you to everyone who voted for Educators Credit Union. We appreciate your continued support!

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This New House: New Year, New Condo?

Last year, the Marketing Team seemed to be all on the same brain wave. Brad, Rick and our colleague Lizz, who left Educators to start her own photography business, all bought houses.

After listening to their eye-opening experiences all last year and the challenges they faced, I thought that this year would be a great time for me to start my own house-hunting adventure with a slight twist: embarking on the condo journey. Anyone who knows me is aware that I am ALWAYS on the go. I am a person who likes to keep busy and try new things – so I need a house that can keep up with me and one that I can keep up with. So as my rent continues to spiral out of control in my perfectly located downtown Milwaukee apartment, I thought that it was finally time to take the next step into adulthood by searching for my own home.

As I take the first step of the journey, I am looking forward to sharing my experiences, the ups & downs of this process and HOPEFULLY in the end, I may end up with a home to call my own.

Steve Jobs once said, “If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know it when you find it.”

So, wish me luck, share any advice for me below and let us know if you have any questions! We love to hear from you and can’t wait to hear all your stories of your first time buying a house.

-Emily

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Educators Credit Union Celebrates Three Saver’s Sweepstakes Winners

The third Saver’s Sweepstakes drawing was held on December 17th and three Educators Credit Union members were lucky winners of $100.

Last month’s Educators Credit Union Saver’s Sweepstakes winners were:

• Nadine M.
• Patricia K.
• Jessie J.

The Saver’s Sweepstakes is a brand new prize-based savings account created by The Wisconsin Credit Union League with help from several credit unions across the state. Members earn entries into the sweepstakes for every $25 saved each month. They can receive up to six entries monthly. Those entries go towards a $100 monthly drawing, $1,000 quarterly drawing and the $5,000 yearly grand prize drawing.

While the Saver’s Sweepstakes is special because members can win for saving, it was created to help credit union members develop good saving habits.

The next group of winners will be picked in mid-January. For full entry rules and information, visit www.ecu.com/savers.

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Member Loyalty has changed for 2019!

It’s a new Member Loyalty Reward for a new year! Educators Credit Union members can now unlock up to $165 for participating in Member Loyalty. All you need is an active checking account.

An active checking account is when:

• You deposit a check, receive an electronic deposit from a non-Educators Credit Union account, or receive a payroll direct deposit into your checking account at least once a month.
• You make at least five transactions each month. These transactions can be any combination of using your debit card, writing a check, making an automatic withdrawal or using Bill Pay. It does not include ATM withdrawals.

Once you have an active checking account, you can start building your rewards up each month! The money you earn is then deposited into your account on Nov. 30.

Click here to see what you need to unlock the maximum payout of $165!

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Happy Cut Your Energy Costs Day!

It’s National Cut Your Energy Costs Day! To help you get in the spirit, we’re giving you five ways you can reduce your energy costs to get a little extra money in your savings account.

1. Seal your house! It’s Wisconsin and it’s winter. That means the elements are working against us when it comes to keeping our homes a comfortable temperature. Having a window and door inspection to ensure there’s no extra draft can be huge when it comes to reducing the cold air coming in. Also, you can buy plastic insulation that attaches to your windows or a draft blocker for your door to ensure your fighting off as much of the cold as possible.
2. Completely turn off or unplug the devices you’re not using. Laptop chargers, DVD players or desktop computers left on are costing you money, even when they’re not being used. Shut these devices down completely to save on energy that’s being completely wasted.
3. Lower the temperature on your water heater. Lowering your water heater’s set temperature from the standard 140 degrees to 120 reduces the time it’s running, therefore saving you costs to heat water you might not even use.
4. Program your thermostat. Have a thermostat you can set? Change it so that the temperature is lower when you are at work or sleeping. Then you’ll be saving costs without even thinking about it. Set it to start warming up 15 minutes before you arrive home and you’ll have a toasty home again in no time.
5. Use LED bulbs. Replacing your lighting with strictly LED bulbs can have its upfront cost, but studies show it can save you up to $75 per year. These bulbs also last longer than your typical fluorescent light bulb. If you get a smart bulb, you can even track your energy usage straight from your app.

Have more ways to save on energy? Let us know in the comments!

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Whoa. Did the Educators website just change?

 

Whoa. Did the Educators website just change?

— I’m so happy that you noticed!

Educators Credit Union is happy to present some much-needed updates to our website. While these changes should improve the look and function of the site, we know how exciting and scary that these changes can be!

The new look incorporates much of the look and feel you currently get when going into Educators Credit Union branches, including aesthetics made famous by Wisconsin architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Many of our branches have a bit of Wright’s influence in them, whether it’s the stain glass grid or the prairie building design he was fond of. The new colors keep the theme, with earthy tones aimed at comforting.

These changes are just the start of a round of upgrades you will see to the website in 2019. As the year progresses, we’ll also add a fully integrated Spanish web experience, an update to our Careers page and mobile experience updates.

As always, if you’re ever in need of assistance, reach out to us! Our team is happy to hear from everyone through our blog discussions, any of our social media channels, email and texts. All of the feedback is read through and discussed on a daily basis – we do our best to respond to every single comment.

I hope you have a wonderful start to the New Year.

-Emily
Marketing Manager

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Educators Credit Union Adds a New Team and Branch!

Educators Credit Union has merged with the Aurora Credit Union! The merger was completed on Tuesday, Jan. 1. Through this partnership, Educators is adding over 5,500 members, seven new employees, and one new branch.

For Aurora Credit Union members, this merger will give them access to Educators’ first-class services and products, including Mobile Banking, FlashCash, Ctrl and more. They’ll also have access to Educators Credit Union’s 22 other locations, giving them more options for managing their finances.

Educators Credit Union members now have an additional branch in Milwaukee to help service their needs. Located at 3355 W. Forest Home Ave., Milwaukee, this branch can help members in southern Milwaukee County.

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2019 January Member Focus

Take a look at the latest edition of the Educators Credit Union Member Focus. This month, we’re introducing our new team members, revealing the new Member Loyalty, and sharing ways you can save when filing your taxes.

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